I got this beat up and abused EB-0 a while back, complete with a Badass bridge that is too wide. What replacement bridge would fit a 1968 EB-0 without breaking the bank? What are the actual measurements of the original bridge? I do prefer the later three point bridge to the two point originally fitted on this bass, and I don't mind it not being period-correct or original. That ship sailed two pickups and years of neglect ago. This will be a player once the bridge is replaced and the electronics sorted. It sounds pretty great, but it needs cleaning, new switches and a road map. I have no clue what the switches actually do. All three are three-way and all settings produce wildly different sounds. Or no sound at all in some combinations.
Actually the Badass bridge on there was designed with Gibson string spacing in mind and should function just fine on that bass. I remember when you first asked about this bass. I would just sort ot the electronics and give it a good cleaning.
Thanks for your replies! This one is most likely a BA-II, because the string spacing is most definitely wrong. I found one mention of the proper spacing being 51 mm center E to center G at the bridge. I have no qualms drilling an extra hole for the third post. I like three post bridge better, and it's supposed to be more stable than the original two post.
I would just recut the saddles. OR buy uncut replacement saddles, then cut them OR send me the bass OR I have a hipshot that is adjustable for string spacing but I don't know the model #, there are other adjustable bridges.
My EBO with an original BA... {} Strings are a bit close to the edge but that's where I like them. As mentioned above, you can cut the saddles to put them wherever you want them.
Maybe the bridge the bigwigs at Gibson, in a rare moment of lucidity, decided to use for a short time a few years back? Babicz. {}
@jd56hawk Is that the Babicz FCH3? I love Babicz, but the price is crazy. @lug Hm, mine is the original BA just like yours, but the strings are too close to the edge. I'll look into recutting it.
I have hipshot supertones on my ‘70 Gibson EB-3l and ‘82 Vantage V bass knockoff and couldn’t be happier. They make versions for both the 2 and 3 post designs.
The two side posts on a 3 post aren’t in the same position as a 2 post. So you can’t just install a 3 post by adding one insert/stud. The Hipshot 2 post replacement is your best bet. I don’t really like the look on an old EBO, but it will work. I made a mahogany block and bolted my 2 post down. {} {}
I got one of these to adapt to my old Hagstrom with the same narrow string spacing as the Gibson. Check the height though. 4 String Bass Bridge L Shape Saddle Screw for Guitar Parts Replacement Black 434458000990 | eBay
I popped off the bridge. It's actually slightly off center, so especially the G-string is a bit closer to the edge. I managed to move it just enough to make it playable. Good enough for now. The post holes are plugged, so a new bridge would need new holes anyway. There's also a plastic shim under the bridge... One screw is missing from one of the saddles and another was upside down. Behold the wiring: {} I just ... Well. One of the wires from the P-pickup came loose or was already loose. It looks like a heavily medicated panda thought up this wiring scheme on a bad trip. There are wires connecting every lug to another. There are some fret issues as well. A refret and dressing may be in order.
I have a bass with an old Badass, and one of the height adjustment screws was stripped and frozen and was set too high. Someday I may get a new saddle or extract the culprit allen screw, until then I just ground it down on the belt sander and put her back in play. She appreciates being appreciated.
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